Rural Solutions SA expertise in Linear Park design is providing increasing recreational opportunities for local communities.

An environmental team led by Rural Solutions SA landscape architect, Mark Drew has designed a "Trampark" landscape experience along the Tramway between Cross Road and Morphett Road in the Marion Council area.

Imaginative landscaping provides interest, education and aesthetic beauty to areas previously neglected and regarded as 'eyesores' by local residents.

Many of the areas along the tramline were less than five metres in width.

Inspiration came from the original pre-European period landscapes and plant communities of the Adelaide Plains.

Caption
Creating a Linear Park landscape experience

Surprisingly, these were not pristine landscapes, as it is believed they were modified by Aboriginal activities such as burning to create modified landscapes.

The "Trampark" was designed to give a series of experiences such the Black Forest, an area of open woodland, shrubland, open grassland and sedgeland, with an ephemeral creek.

An Art Trail was also included in the section adjacent to Morphettville Racecourse, with the artwork intended to interpret a "seasonal waters" ephemeral concept.

A 1.6 km long landscape previously unavailable to the community will soon offer bike and walking trails, giving a range of different landscape experiences to the user.

Wildlife has also been considered in the plant species selected, providing opportunities for bird and bat boxes to be installed as the trees grow.

Caption
The present landscape, considered an 'eyesore'

Rather than be stranded in a desolate no man's land, racegoers will now be able to walk in the new landscape when they alight from the tram on their way to the entrance of the Morphettville Racecourse.

By enlivening this area it will increase use and is likely to minimise the level of crime formerly occurring in the area.

For further information relating to Linear Park design, contact Mark Drew.

Date of release: 28 April 2009